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--- nyan:goals [2023/10/19 07:37] – created river
+++ nyan:goals [2023/12/11 11:44] (current) – river
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+**Document status: Early ideas, subject to change.**
 ====== Project Goals ======
+  * Build a system which allows sending messages between boats which may not be within direct radio communication distance of each other.
+  * Allow human written text messages and telemetry.
+  * Suitable for small yachts and pleasure fishing boats.
+  * Low power usage.
+  * Affordable and easy to install.
+  * Independent operation: Does not require other infrastructure, central servers, or subscriptions.
+  * Open source design.
+  * Licence exempt preferably everywhere, initially being developed in/for UK and Canada.
+To be implemented with a LoRa mesh network.
+===== Purpose and applications of the system =====
+  * Wind reports from the next fjord / around the corner.
+  * Chatting to your friend on another boat (around corner / out of VHF range?).
+  * Race tracking.
+  * Weather reporting and forecasting. Local forecasts of remote ocean race areas.
+  * Checking on your boat when you are away for a long time. Theft detection / recovery.
+  * Storm / high seas / anchor alarms.
+===== Onboard Device Specification =====
+  * Small, discrete device that can be installed behind a panel.
+  * Minimal UI (probably LEDs and a button or two).
+  * Configuration method to set some of: boat name, boat type, ID, network settings.
+  * "Low power". For monitoring a boat left for the winter: can send occasional position reports or alerts using a typical boat lead acid battery for at least six months to a year without causing problems. May use more power when boat is actively in use / has a battery charging source.
+  * Runs on nominal 12V boat power, own wiring or from CAN bus.
+  * Battery monitoring. At least report supply voltage.
+  * Reduce power usage when battery low. Avoid damaging battery.
+  * Builtin GPS receiver and antenna.
+  * 9 DoF IMU, to detect movement (security), report sea state...
+  * Configurable alarms - e.g. movement or voltage triggered.
+  * Data logging: There should be some non-volatile storage, useful for weather reports and buffering messages.
+  * At least somewhat waterproof case.
+  * Possibly: External enclosure for rail mounting on metal boats.
+  * Possibly: Builtin battery. Important for tracking if boat stolen and power is disconnected.
+==== Interfaces ====
+  * Wind instrument interface for sensors that may be supplied with the device - probably NMEA0183, NMEA2000, or RS485. Possibly wireless or wired analogue for cheaper sensors.
+  * NMEA receive interface for GPS (needed if cannot be installed where internal GPS works).
+  * LoRa antenna socket? (I think needed for the same reason, if installed below decks on a metal boat)
+  * NMEA receive interface for other boat instruments: wind, depth, compass, IMU, temperatures, tanks, ...
+  * For the UI: Probably bluetooth to a phone app, or wifi to a computer / web interface.
+  * Other sensors, e.g. air quality, humidity, fog, CO2, intruder alarm system. Possibly serial (CAN, RS485) or wifi / IP.
+==== UI ====
+  * Display own and other boats' sensor readings on a map.
+  * Send and receive text messages.
+===== Other Possible Devices =====
+==== Base Station ====
+  * Connects to LoRa network.
+  * External antennas
+  * Internet linking with ethernet or wifi
+  * Mains power
+  * Doesn't need NMEA / boat network interfaces. Maybe connects to weather station though.
+==== Panel mount UI ====
+  * Could be like navtex with weather reports, or a map.
+  * Text messages.
+  * Maybe keyboard or touchscreen.
+==== Portable radio ====
+For monitoring an anchored boat when you are ashore. Take with you in dinghy.
+===== LoRa Network Design =====
+  * Messages should be forwarded between boats to extend range
+  * Store and forward possible to allow boats to carry messages to another area.
+  * Possible optimisation: replace older messages with new versions
+  * Broadcasts. Geographically limited?
+  * Addressable messages (maybe not needed at first, ie for simplicity treat everything as public broadcast)
+===== Investigate =====
+  * Use of satellites to extend range?